On October 17th, 1932, Charlie Pavanno was to be given a trial and how he would plead his case, many people were going to come out for this trial, to see who had given up a valuable and honored member of this society that they had built. Charlie Pavanno was kept in county jail, awaiting his trial, it was something that had people on the edge of their seats, many writers at the esteemed offices of MR News had resigned, not wanting to be caught in the backlash.

The only two important figures of said News Firm were Joe Adonis, rumored Boss of The Race St. Company: Midas, as well as a rumored member of said Company, Luna. These two were left in charge while Charlie had rotted away in prison, many people had led protests, wanting the charming and sometimes, childlike mobster to be let out, but nothing came of it, police officers had been called to quell the protesting and were allowed to use force. 

Cassandra Pavanno, better known as the adoptive daughter of Charlie Pavanno was said to have run away by herself, getting the news from Charles' fellow associates and knew that her time in the Mob controlled states were over, rumors had flown around the honored society that she had gifted part of Charlie's fortune, going to Canada or perhaps London, wherever she went, she knew that Charlie would want her away from the states. 

Charlie Pavanno, like many other mobsters, is to decide how to plead his case, will he give up his fellow mobsters? Or will he allow them to go free? While he would be spending time in prison, allowing them to reap the rewards of his earnings...

"Charlie, it's time to go."

A friendly officer had called out to Charlie, who had looked at the mobster with worry shining in his green orbs, Charlie was unlike any other mobster, he was not a violent man and often had charm, he would use it to a standard and allow it to control him when he was negotiation, many officers would regret not having the Pavanno around anymore, he kept certain men at bay. 

"Thanks, Vic, be sure to talk to Joe after this, you understand? Tell him to operate my businesses, should I be sentenced."

Vic nodded and opened the cell, Charlie was placed in handcuffs, complying and knowing that this would cause more problems than necessary if he did not. Vic sighed, taking Charlie by the arm and escorting him to the transport that would take him to the courthouse, it was all ready. Vic, with one last look, stated something towards Charlie. 

"I'll keep an eye out on the rest of them, but they may be investigating the rest of the Officers on your payroll, you might wanna cut some of them loose, they might not be as loyal as me Charlie."

Snorting was all that was heard when Vic had finished speaking, it was obvious that Charlie did not trust Vic, but he did trust him enough to deliver a message to Joe, with a sigh, Charlie nodded and kept his head straight, looking towards the doors that held freedom for him in these last few moments of peace that he would have. 

The Trial of Charlie Pavanno

In attendance were Adonis, Viscorio, and mobsters from all around, some of them were here because they knew Charlie personally and did not want him to become locked up, the out of town mobsters were here to make sure that he kept to his oath of silence and would be ready to intervene, should he try and provide anything against them. 

Charlie Pavanno soon entered the court, his eyes were blank, almost like he was allowing no emotion to pass through, he did not want anyone else to see past this wall he had put up. It was something that he had done to make sure that he was not vulnerable to anything from the prosecutor. 

'You got this Charlie...just be calm and think of home."

Charlie had made it towards his table, where he was uncuffed and awaited the entrance of the Judge, but he looked to the side, noticing the persecution and sitting there with an almost smug look was Gerry, the man that he had brought into the crew, the man that he had allowed to date his daughter in all but blood. Here he was, ratting on him, with the protective detail that stood around his table, obviously protecting him from the various Mobsters that were in the courtroom. 

Charlie shook his head, looking in front of him as he noticed the judge was now getting to his platform and was getting himself prepared by sitting in his chair. Charlie immediately had nerves clawing at him, trying to get him to break, but he armed himself and like he would wield a gun, he fought against the nerves and made sure they were down. 

Soon everything was ready, Charlie was looking off discreetly towards Adonis, who nodded to him and gave him a look, Charlie released a breath and looked back to the judge, making sure that his face was impassive. 

"Charlie Pavanno, this courtroom has gathered here to judge whether you are guilty or not. You're being charged with Voluntary Manslaughter, how do you plead?"

Charlie looked to his lawyer, provided by Joe and the Higher Structure, the Lawyer nodded to Charlie before he turned back to his files. Charlie stood, his eyes looking into the blank gaze of the judge.

"I plead not guilty..."

Gasps and even widened eyes could be heard and seen all around the courtroom, Charlie was gambling with fate and there was always the old saying that, 'The House Always Wins' and many people had thoughts going through their heads, they were all thinking the same thing, would it be the same today?

Continued in Part II of The Trial of Charlie Pavanno...

Alexander let his Studebaker roadster roll to a slow stop on the curb and stepped out as he wiped the creases out of his pale blue suit. Almost immediately, he spotted the reporters gazing at him curiously. With a sigh, he began to walk up the steps wondering if he could have handled his approach better if he had an escort to nudge away from the over-eager representatives of the press seeking a tantalising nugget of information or two. For perhaps the 100th time this week, he begrudgingly resolved to approach William Bowden soon and seek his help in employing someone reliable. 

"Mr Knight, do you have a special interest in this case?" Asked a reporter, breaking him out of his reverie. Knowing there was no way to escape them without looking overly suspicious, Alexander responded noncommittally as he continued to walk. "As a resident of the great city of Philadelphia, I have a special interest in everything that goes on here, much like most of you."

"Mr Knight, what is the nature of your relationship with the defendant?" Asked another, having sensed an opening. The question stumped him momentarily for he was unsure of just how to respond to that. He had no direct business dealings with the man, hell he'd only formally met him once. Yet their encounter, albeit brief, had left a lasting impression on him and filled him with curiosity about the man and his interests in the city or more specifically his interests pertaining to Alexander Knight himself.

Reliable information had been hard to come by and what little discrete inquiries he had been able to make had only been able to unearth only the most basic of details about the curious stranger with the deathly glare, Charlie Pavanno. However, having already resolved to investigate the man further, he couldn't exactly stay away from something so significant. "I have a well-known business relationship with Midas Air, of which the defendant is an employee. So you can say that what happens to Mr Pavanno has a possibility of affecting my association with Midas Air." He said calmly, moving now at a brisk pace.

"Mr Knight, your presence here seems to back up NOMA's claims of your association with the mob and supposed underhanded tactics you have employed with respect to recruiting musicians from New Orleans. Any comment on the lawsuit against you in context of the trial today?" A particularly persistent reporter chimed in just as he was almost out of reach.

With his trademark smile, Alexander responded calmly, "Innocent until proven guilty folks, both of us."  And with that he disappeared into the crowded courtroom, quietly taking a seat in the rear as the proceedings began. It didn't take long for him to see the man he was looking for, considering he was the man of the hour after all. Yet, for the briefest of moments, Alexander saw something he hadn't seen on their previous encounter. Charlie's confident mask had slipped and Alexander could tell that beneath all the bravado, the man did indeed feel some measure of fear.

Charlie's eyes travelled to someone in the crowd and when Alexander followed them, he spotted Adonis giving him a reassuring nod. Intrigued by what was to come, he leaned back into the wooden chair as he heard the words "I plead not guilty..."  Uttered in a cold, unforgiving manner that seemed to shock the crowd. With his grin widening, Alexander looked on intrigued by what was to come for now, the die had been cast.